Official, Contractor Fight Over Cost Of Job

POMPANO BEACH — Police are investigating a brawl between City Commissioner George Melcher and a contractor over the cost of restoring hurricane shutters.

Melcher and the contractor who restored the shutters for him, David Barbour, got into a fight Wednesday afternoon, according to complaints filed with police by Melcher and Barbour.

Melcher, a former police officer, is president of Concrete Restoration & Construction, an Oakland Park firm that restores shutters, columns, beams and other concrete structures.

He hired Barbour, who owns Red Oaks Shutters, 517 S. Flagler Drive, to restore shutters to be installed on a condominium.

Melcher said Barbour originally wanted $2,800 for the work. Melcher called that price "outrageous" and said he told Barbour he would pay him only $1,400.

Melcher said Barbour agreed on the $1,400, then changed his mind when Melcher and his employees arrived at Barbour's shop to load the shutters on their truck.

Melcher said when he tried to give Barbour a check for $1,400, Barbour said, "Oh, I changed my mind, I want more money.''' Melcher said he and Barbour then began arguing.

A police report said, "When victim Barbour saw that the argument was going nowhere, he picked up the phone."

Melcher said he stopped Barbour from calling the police twice, putting his hand on the receiver. "I didn't want to get them involved in a civil dispute," Melcher said.

"Then the guy starts to explode," Melcher said. "He lunged at me."

After the fight, the police report said, Melcher "swiped two uncashed checks off Barbour's desk."

Melcher said he mistakenly grabbed the checks, totaling about $500, in hurrying to get out of Barbour's office. "It was an accident," Melcher said.

Melcher said Barbour smashed the passenger window of Melcher's truck in the scuffle.

Barbour declined on Thursday to discuss the fight, but referred questions to his attorney, Jan Kelly Kegelmeyer. She challenged Melcher's version of the dispute, saying Barbour always wanted $2,800, though there was no written contract.

Police are investigating, but said no charges have been filed.

Melcher said that when the brawl was over, he didn't get the shutters. He said he plans to sue Barbour.